Jen H.
Almost done with the "process"...
Apr 18, 2007
The past month has gone by so quickly, I just wanted to take a moment to update how the "process" has been going. I have been cleared by both the psychologist and cardiologist, and today I go in for my compliance test with the nutritionist after completing the 5 days of complete torture that is the protein sparing diet. I have lost 11 pounds since Friday and I better be in ketosis because I don't know if I can do this again. It is not so much the restriction in only being able to eat 9oz of meat a day (for me I have just been having chicken) that is so bad, it is just the feeling of starvation. It plays tricks on your mind and for a moment you actually consider scrapping this whole weight loss surgery idea just so you can eat something, anything, even things you normally don't like! Thankfully I was able to manage the cravings, and it did get easier each day, though I am looking forward to having some real food after my test this afternoon. I am also attending a support group meeting tonight, and that will complete all of the requirements needed so that Dr. Valin's office can submit me for insurance approval and give me a tentative surgery date, so hopefully I should have an update on both of those fronts in a few weeks!!
Full steam ahead...
Mar 26, 2007
Well, I am happy to report that the initial consult with the nurse practitioner Debbie (Dr. Valin's wife) went very well. I really liked her and the office staff and felt very comfortable with the atmosphere, their professionalism, their process, and with Dr. Valin's experience and track record. I really think I have found the right place. Now I just have a number of steps that I need to complete and then they will schedule an appointment with Dr. Valin, submit for insurance approval, give me a tentative surgery date, and then schedule all the pre-op testing that is needed. I must first see a cardiologist (4/16), attend a support group meeting (4/18), and see both the nutritionist and psychologist twice (first meetings are 4/4 and 3/31, respectively). My goal is to have everything completed and into Dr. Valin's office by the end of April, hoping to get a surgery date in mid to late June, giving me a full two months to heal and adjust to my new lifestyle before school starts again. I had my second sleep test on Thursday evening, and it was pure "torture". I swear I did not sleep a wink, and by the end of the night I was really struggling to breath normally with the CPAP. I know they were probably trying different settings, but I just didn't really know what was going on and kept panicking that I was going to suffocate or something. They told me I slept (though I am doubtful about this, I hope they are right because I really don't want to go back). I knew the CPAP was not going to be pleasant, but I have been so exhausted that I really need to find a way to make this work. Hopefully using the machine at home will be different...I guess I will just have to wait and see. I am guessing it will probably be 2-4 weeks before they get back to me and get me set up with a machine. I'll just have to wait and see...
I may have found a surgeon...
Mar 21, 2007
I have been doing quite a bit of research and have decided to move forward with Dr. Elmer Valin. Cons are that his office is about an hour away and you have to pay up front and then get reimbursed by your insurance. Pros are that he appears to have many years of experience, it is an ASBS Center of Excellence, and there is a plethora of positive feedback from patients with nary a word of negative feedback (not that there isn't any, just so far has been hard to find) and that all makes me feel good about this decision, but I still have a lot of questions to be answered during the initial consult TOMORROW--that's right, I have been harassing their poor office staff all week (I am a bit on the "persistent" side) so I could quickly complete their online information session (much more convenient than waiting until next month and having to drive to New Haven) and application. My PCP gave me a referral and tried to call to get me an appointment this morning, but they said they would try to find something and call me a back in a couple of days. Much to my surprise they called me a few hours later and offered me an appointment tomorrow! The timing is really cutting it close because I have class tomorrow, but it may have been awhile until another appointment became available, but I need to take that chance to at least get the ball rolling--I can't really move forward until I have the initial consult and plus I want to make sure that this is the right doctor for me. I am also panicking a little because I just didn't expect to get an appointment so soon--I am happy and excited too, but it is just getting a little more "real". Well, I will try to keep this log up to date!
Finding a surgeon...
Mar 17, 2007
Finding a surgeon who can do the procedure this summer is very important to me, second only to feeling confident in my surgeon and the comprehensiveness of his/her program. My PCP referred me to Dr. Giles, and I would love to have him do the procedure, but after recently attending an information session (3/15/07) it seems his process unfortunately takes quite a bit longer than most other surgeons, and since I am a student graduating next May, this summer is essentially my last chance to have the procedure for some time. If I miss a semester of school, it will likely affect my health coverage and I would prefer to avoid this. My quality of life has been steadily deteriorating for the past year and I don't think I will be able to graduate and find full-time employment and get new health insurance all hoping that I will then be covered for the procedure. I have severe obstructive sleep apnea that was just diagnosed (still working out getting a CPAP) and between my weight and basically suffering from severe sleep deprivation, I just have no energy at all. So, I have been looking into other surgeons in CT, and have settled on Dr. Valin, who I hope will be able to complete the procedure this summer. The next information session is 4/7/07, so I will definitely be there, and I will try to call his office Monday to try to find out some more information.
About Me
Manchester, CT
Location
26.3
BMI
Surgery
06/18/2007
Surgery Date
Mar 12, 2007
Member Since
